Fitness Influencer Faces Backlash Over 'Unfollow Female Influencers' Instagram Post
Melbourne-based fitness influencer Thomas Baulch, known online as Prime Train, has ignited a firestorm of criticism after posting a controversial message on Instagram encouraging his followers to 'unfollow every female influencer'. The post, which Baulch later claimed was misunderstood, prompted immediate outrage from fans and fellow influencers who accused him of reducing women to mere distractions and promoting harmful stereotypes.
Controversial Message and Immediate Backlash
Baulch shared a selfie with the caption 'Unfollow every female influencer', elaborating in subsequent posts that he wanted male followers to stop engaging with female influencers who post what he described as 'promiscuous photos' or promote OnlyFans content. He argued that such content distracts men from their goals and trains algorithms to show more similar material, stating: 'Every time you open your phone you see soft [porn]. Control your lust. Control your brain.'
The response was swift and severe. Critics flooded the comments section, with former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers calling the advice 'very concerning', while influencer Lavender Baj joked: 'Dudes will move to Dubai and unfollow every woman on the planet before going to therapy.' Beauty and the Geek star Anthony Farah questioned Baulch's security in his masculinity.
Critics Accuse Baulch of Misogynistic Framing
Many commenters argued that Baulch's framing of female influencers as sexual distractions revealed more about his own views than about women's value online. One critic wrote: 'Reducing female influencers to nothing but "distractions" says a lot more about you and your self control than a woman's value. You could have worded this as "unfollow any account you find distracting" but you chose to target women?'
Another added: 'Setting aside the harm this creates for women, unfollowing us doesn't build discipline. Taking responsibility for how you see women does. Avoidance delays growth; maturity is learning to engage without sexualising.' Several comments suggested the post reflected predatory thinking and displaced responsibility, with one person stating: 'Framing women as risks to be managed rather than people to be respected reflects predatory thinking rooted in displaced responsibility.'
Baulch's Attempted Clarification and Continued Criticism
Facing mounting criticism, Baulch posted an apology on Wednesday, claiming his message had been misunderstood. He clarified: 'First off, don't unfollow every female influencer/content creator. I follow a lot of amazing women on this platform who add value to my social media feed and my life.' He insisted his post specifically targeted content involving promiscuity and soft porn that floods young men's feeds, not women in general.
Baulch defended his intentions, stating: 'To say I'm objectifying women is a bit of a reach - if it came across that way it wasn't intended at all. I think it is our duty as men to remove that content from our feeds.' However, he acknowledged: 'Anyway. Sorry. Should've worded myself better I guess.'
Mixed Response to Apology
While some supporters rallied to Baulch's defence following his apology, many critics remained unimpressed, accusing him of backpedalling on his original message. One commenter responded: 'Delete the post then?' to which Baulch replied: 'Nah, I stand by what I said.' Another critic noted: 'If you were actually sorry the FIRST thing you would have done was delete the post. Facts.'
Others mocked the attempted clarification, with one user writing: 'This is the most diabolical backpedal I've ever seen lmao.' Another pointed out: 'You didn't say Unfollow influences you said Unfollow female influencers. Be careful when you put things in writing my friend.' The controversy highlights ongoing debates about online misogyny, algorithmic influence, and responsible social media messaging in the influencer community.
